One of the great things about being an artist and writer is that I can follow my muse wherever she takes me. Some days painting calls. Other days I just have to write.
Over the last few weeks I have been finishing the portrait “Joy (Harry Potter)” which shows my daughter Serena, a couple of years ago, enjoying one of her favourite books on a bench we have in the field next to our house.
In these strange lock-down times, I have found more time to paint and write but I still find it hard at times to juggle both creative endeavours. Often when I am painting ideas spring into mind for a story, or I have a breakthrough on a character issue. There are days when editing is hard going and an unfinished painting whispers, “Come and paint, it’s more fun…”
Most often I feel I should be writing when I paint. Painting still seems to me more pleasure than work, but perhaps that is where the joy in it lies.
I will be entering the portrait I am currently working on into the inspiredbylakeland.co.uk competition Dreaming through the looking glass. Selected works will be touring (hopefully) in 2021 and will be included in a book which will be sold to raise funds for our local NHS trusts and artistic groups including Green Door; Space2Create; and the Eden Valley Artistic Network.
I do hope to be selected. Fingers crossed! Can anyone guess which of the Harry Potter series Serena is reading?
Kerry Cooper 